This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.

Trust me, my Aunt Katie was an amazing aunt, mom, teacher, friend, and wife.

IMG_1812

She was actually kind of crazy, but in the best way possible. What came out of this girl’s mouth was down right funny and a good part of the time inappropriate for anyone under the age of 16. Every time a certain body part was mentioned, yes I said body part, she would make references to the word winky. She also had a great name for peanut butter, once again it involved a body part! Let’s just say most of her funnier comment’s are too inappropriate for this blog. The lady could really make you laugh!

And can we talk about her laugh for second? It was the best laugh you have ever heard. A true honest laugh, not one of those fake ones that people use just to go along with things. No, her laugh was a lite up the room kind of laugh. Full of happiness, excitement, and love. It put a true smile on everyones face. That laugh will be missed so much!

IMG_1724

Some of my best memories of her are when I was younger and our families would head to our cabin in Ripley, New York the day after Christmas. Everyone one was on break with nothing around us for miles so we would ski, go sledding off the deck, tie ropes to the back of the four wheelers and go for sled rides, make coke slushies out snow, make margarita’s (virgin for the youngins) watch movies, eat hot tamales, watch the ball drop on New Years Eve and play Balderdash!

IMG_1758

Balderdash is a game of bluffing and trivia and Aunt Katie killed it! There could not have been a better Balderdash player. Seriously, we would get a serious ab workout from all the laughing. Those were some of the best nights that I can remember, and they are because of her.

She had a way of making you feel like you were not the only freak in the world. She always put everyone before herself, that is just who she was.

IMG_1775

She would even put my hair in a french braid for me before heading out to go snowboarding. She did it for my cousins (her daughters) and I obviously wanted to be just like them. Since my mom did not know how to french braid (or maybe she did, but she just said that so my aunt Katie would do it), Aunt Katie did it for me. And to this day every morning when I go out for a hike I braid my hair just like she used to!

IMG_1778

Aunt Katie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer barely 8 months ago. She died on Monday night after fighting her hardest. She was the strongest most dedicated person I know. She was too young. It was too soon.

She will be missed by so many. No one will ever forget her, it is just not possible.

She left us with amazing memories, even better cousins and this lasagna recipe. My cousins say her best dishes were literally “just threw shit together”. Chili, steak, potatoes and this lasagna. It is my moms favorite, along with many others, and now it can be yours to!

IMG_1788

Aunt Katie’s White Lasagna

Author: Tieghan Gerard
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Rest 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 1005 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

SavePrintEmail

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Grease a 9x13 inch pan, set a side.
  • Melt the butter in a medium sauce pan. Saute the garlic, basil, oregano and pepper until the garlic is fragrant.Whisk in the flour and salt until there are no clumps (besides the garlic). Cook for about 1 minute.
  • Slowly add the milk and broth. Bring to a boil and stir for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Set the cheese sauce aside.
  • In a medium bowl combine the ricatta cheese, gorgonzola cheese, and egg. Mix until combined.
  • Spread 1/4 of the cheese sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Top with 3-4 lasagna noodles (fresh or uncooked dry lasagna noodles). Spread with 1/2 the ricotta cheese mixture, half the chicken, if using and then another 1/4 of the cheese sauce. Place another 3-4 lasagna noodles on top and then top with the remaining ricotta cheese mixture, then all of the spinach and another 1/4 of the cheese sauce. Add the remaining lasagna noodles and pour the remain cheese sauce over top. Top with a 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese.
  • Bake uncovered for 1 hour or until the top has bubbled up and browned a bit.
  • Let stand 20 minutes before serving.
View Recipe Comments

IMG_1815

Aunt Katie you left us with the best memories possible, we will NEVER forget you. Like I said, it is not possible.

Add a Comment

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

    1. Hey Elizabeth,
      Fantastic!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xx

      Reply

  2. I really dislike frozen spinach. Could I substitute with fresh baby spinach? The recipe looks fantastic otherwise and I can’t wait to try it!

    Reply

    1. Hey Lori,
      Yes, that will work but you will want to cook it down first and drain any liquids! I hope you love this recipe! xT

      Reply

  3. Hi there, I can’t wait to try this recipe! I’m not a huge fan of gorgonzola cheese, so is there a different cheese you’d recommend as a substitute? Or should I just add onto the amount of mozzarella and parmesan?

    Thank you!

    Reply

    1. Hey Katie,
      You can skip the gorgonzola and use another cheese that you enjoy or just add more of the mozzarella and parmesan:) I hope you love this recipe, let me know how it turns out! xx

      Reply

  4. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been going making different dishes from your site. Thank you for all your wonderful and doable and tasty recipes!
    For this, it says 2 packages of frozen spinach. Since there are different size packages, can you be more specific? Either weight or Cups?
    Also – Can this be made in advanced and put in the fridge? What’s your recommendation?

    Thank you again!

    Reply

    1. Hey TeeKay,
      You want to use 2 10 ounces packages of frozen spinach and yes you can make a day in advance then bake when you are ready to serve. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan

      Reply

    1. HI! The chicken is added with the cheese sauce. It is listed out in the instructions. Let me know if you have any issues finding it. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much! xTieghan

      Reply

    1. Oh sorry about this. English is my first language. This post was from a few years ago and was actually right after my aunt passed away, so I was a bit distraught. Thanks for letting me know.

      Reply

  8. Oh yum! You know, your links are some of my very favorite from my link parties! Except I always leave your site starving! 🙂

    Reply

  10. What an awesome legacy to have a precious aunt that left such beautiful footprints on your hearts! And how wonderful she left you this delicious recipe. I make something
    similar and alternate ham and chicken between the layers. Thanks for reminding me of that. Great post! May the good Lord be near you every day as you face the world without the gift of your auntie’s presence. No doubt she will live long in your hearts. How special.

    Reply

  11. Hi Tieghan,
    I’m featuring your lasagna today on foodie friday. I will pin and tweet it too this week. Thanks for being part of our party every week. We really love your recipes.

    Reply